An 80-voice choir and a string quartet served notice of the ambitions of saxophonist Denys Baptiste’s reworked celebration of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech….Read on
Watch exclusive clips of poet Lemn Sissay’s ‘Civilize You’ and live music from Denys Baptiste’s touring jazz performance Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring! in SOUTHAMPTON Friday 25th, then coming to London 26th and to Harrow in November!
Click HERE for festival dates.
Another review just in of Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring!, this time from Rhythmaning who saw the concert at Usher Hall in bonny Edinburgh. Clearly, this show is having a real impact on audiences ‘Ambitious…heart-rending…spine-tingling…exquisite…moving…powerful stuff indeed’. This is a MUST-SEE show!!
Hear the phenomenal Love Music Community Choir singing with the orchestra:
We can’t wait to be at Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on the 25th!
“This was a concert of deep social significance…a masterful merge of composition and soloists which may ultimately be comparable with the extended works of Ellington, Mingus or Gil Evans.” – Lance at bebop spoken here
A wonderful review by Bepop Spoken Here of Denys Baptiste’s wonderful Now Is The Time…Let Freedom Ring! concert at Sage Gateshead – click for the full interview. Four generations of Tomorrow’s Warriors appear in this fabulous band – testament to its impact and significant legacy over the past 22 years. After kicking-off the tour in Gateshead we’re moving to Usher Hall in Edinburgh – Tickets still available so don’t miss out! See you there tonight!
Our roving Lively Up! Festival photographer tuned into a conversation between saxophonist/composer, Denys Baptiste and poet/author, Lemn Sissay as they discussed Denys’ new work ‘NOW IS THE TIME’ for which Lemn has contributed his poetry.
Says Lemn:
‘We have to search through our past for inspiration that can take us through the traumas of the present’.
‘[Martin Luther King] is our hero, and he’s a hero to everybody’.
What do you think?
Excellent post by our friend, Paul Bradshaw…
MARTIN LUTHER KING & THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON is another magical film from the Hackney based Smoking Dogs. Directed by Jon Akomfrah this evocative and historically illuminating documentary celebrates the pivotal moment in modern history when the the Civil Rights movement descended on Washington DC to pressurise a vulnerable but sympathetic President John F Kennedy to go forward with his Civil Rights Bill.
As with all Smoking Dogs films it’s beautifully constructed and while the story is imbued with an intense urgency it’s punctuated by a monochrome, dream like quality that’s graced, at one point, by Miles Davis’ muted horn.
The rigorous nature of Jon Akomfrah’s directorship ensures that Dr King’s role was not elevated in importance above others who played a crucial role in making the march happen. At the heart of the organisation was the so called ‘Big Six’ led by the charismatic Philip Randolph – president of…
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Great little trailer for Denys Baptiste’s new project, Now Is The Time that goes on tour next Saturday. Please share with your friends!
Denys is working for the very first time with the award-winning poet, Lemn Sissay whose projected video narration of specially commissioned poetry is integral to the live music performance. Take a look, let us know if you like it, and get booking! We think you’re going to enjoy this show!
Video produced by Franklyn Lane Films
